Ashley Jay

Tradition

Judaism is passing traditions from generation to generation. Family values and Jewish ethics will be taught to children for generations to come. The way they live their lives depends on demonstrating these values and ethics.

What Does Confirmation Mean to Me? Confirmation is an honor for a Jewish adult where one studies the principles and ethics of Judaism. It uses Jewish values to teach young adults how to live their lives.

My Obligations to God and to Judaism

There are many Jewish values I have learned throughout my studies at religious school. Having gone to religious school since third grade, I have gained an abundance of knowledge regarding my obligations to God and Judaism. My obligation to God is to believe in my religion and heritage and continue my family traditions. These traditions include going to temple on the high holidays with my grandparents and cousins and spending quality family time on holidays. My obligation to Judaism also includes giving back to the community through charitable work. Time is extremely precious and can never be given back, so making sure my time is efficiently spent is very important. Judaism has taught me to give tzedakah and perform mitzvot as daily activities. I enjoy being a teacher’s aide here at our temple every Thursday and helping younger students learn the Hebrew alphabet. I also enjoy participating in charity fundraising, such as the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) Walk near the Jersey Shore and the Revlon Breast Cancer Walk in New York City. The money raised by these walks is put towards finding a cure through research and development. Volunteers and supporters are a necessity in order to help raise money and awareness, and ultimately find a cure. Additionally, a club I participate in through my school is Marlboro Stangs for Multiple Sclerosis (MS for MS).

MS for MS holds meetings once a month, during which our members brainstorm ideas on raising money to support multiple sclerosis. It’s another example of what religious school has taught me. It’s also taught me to help others, including the sick and needy, and how I can apply it to my everyday life. Giving back to the community and helping others is a main component of what Judaism has taught me, and that will always be a part of who I am. My obligation to God and Judaism ultimately includes applying the knowledge I have gained from religious school into the outside world. Passing on family traditions, giving back to the community, and helping others are all obligations to God and to Judaism, originally learned in Hebrew school, which have now become part of me.